Acetylene-gas-generating lamp.



PATENTED MAY 23,1905.

` C. W. BECK. AGBTYLENB GAS G-BNBRATING LAMP.l

' APPLICATION FILED 00T. 13.1900.

'-'WITNEssYcs UNITED STATES Patented May 23, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

CHARLES WV. BECK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO ELECTROLITE GAS LAMP COMPANY, OF NEW YORIQN. Y.

ACETYLENE-GAS-GEN ERATING LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,27 5, dated May 23, 1905.

Application tiled October 13,1900. Serial No. 82,973.

T0 all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. BECK, of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in acetylene-lamps, and refers more specifically to a lamp of that type wherein the carbid in granulated or pulverulent form is fed to a body of water in graduated quantities automatically controlled by the pressure of gas generated and consumed, the particular embodiment of the invention shown herein consisting of a portable table-lamp or lamp for domestic and analogous purposes.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide improvements in the construction and arrangement of the lamp contributing to produce an efiicient and compact device of artistic form; to so construct and arrange the parts that a maximum capacity is provided for containing the liquid, the carbid, and the operative parts, the carbid-feeding mechanism being arranged at a sufficient height-above the liquid to insure most satisfactory results, while at the same time that part of the lamp which unites the carbid-receptacle with the font or water-reservoir is of minimum dimensions;Y to provide improvements in the details of construction of the expansible gas-holder and the tension mechanism whereby the infia'tion of said holder is resisted; to provide improvements in the details of construction and arrangement of a reducing-valve interposed between the eX- pansible gas-holder and burner-nozzle, contributing to the uniformity of pressure at the burner; to provide improved mechanism for locking the feed mechanism in closed position, and in general to provide simplified and improved details of construction and arrangement contributing to the economy of manufacture, efliciency of operation, and conven-.

ience of use of the lamp.

To the above ends the invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and the same will be readily understood Dfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l isan axial vertical sectional view, with parts in side elevation, of a lamp forming a preferred embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail plan view of parts of the locking mechanism whereby the feed mechanism is locked against operation.

Referring to said drawings, l designates as a whole the fontor water-reservoir, constitut- 6o ing in the present instance the base portion of the lamp and desirably comprising a cylindric lower portion 2, provided with a conveX top and portion 3, which terminates at its upper end iii a cylindric rim 4.

5 designates as a whole the upper member of the lamp, which is adapted to be detachably united with the font or base portion,

lsaid upperinember comprising a bowl-shaped upper portion 6, united with and supported upon a contracted waist portion 7 the lower end of 'which terminates in a cylindric rim 8 of equal vsize and similar to the rim L and adapted to rest upon the latter. Between said meeting rims is formed a circumferential 7 5 groove 9, within which is arranged a packing-ring 10, adapted to be compressed when the upper and lower members ai'e secured t0- gether, so as to forni a gas-tight joint. As a convenient means for thus uniting the upper 8O and lower members the rim of the font isv provided with an upstanding eye l0', adapted y to be engaged by a radially-extending and updownwardly into clamped engagement with the lower member, the upper side of the eye l0' is so located that when its hook is engaged therewith and the upper member forced downwardly this side of the packing-ring will be brought under compression, and in order to similarly compress the opposite side of the packing-ring the end of the link which engages the stud 13 is provided with a thumbscreW 12', threaded therethrough and adapted to impinge upon the upper side of the stud, and thus draw the two members together.

The waist portion 7 of the lamp is desirably constructed with the concave or inwardlycurved sides shown, this construction having the advantage not only of presenting a neat and graceful appearance, but at the same time of reducing the gas-space within said Waist to a minimum. The inner side of the wall of this contracted gas-chamber or waist portion inelines upward and inward to a point just below the bottom of the carbid-hopper and contracts the gas-space between the base or water-holder and the carbid-holder, said chamber at its most contracted point being just large enough to permit the carbid from the feeding mechanism to drop through without contacting with the walls of the contracted chamber. The purpose of thus contracting this chamber to the utmost consistent with the proper operating of the lamp and of inclining inward and upward the walls of the chamber are fourfoldulirst, to cause the upward-moving gas to contact with the walls, and thereby condense a considerable portion of the moisture, which is carried upward by the hot gas; second, to reduce to a minimum the air in the lamp when the generation of gas is first begun; third, to form a standardlike handle between the water-holder and the carbid-holder, which may be grasped when it is desired tolift the lamp, and, fourth, to permit the gas-tight joint between the two parts to be made at the reduced part -of the casing, the advantages of which are evident.

The carbid-receptacle 6, which is mounted upon the waist portion, has its downwardlyconverging sides prolonged or extended inwardly beyond the junction with the waist portion, as indicated at 14, to form a partition separating the carbid-chamber from the gas-space beneath the latter, the lower end of said hopper terminating in a feed-opening 15, through which is arranged to work a feedplunger 16.

Describing now more particularly the feed mechanism, 17 designates a cylindric ring mounted upon the under side of the carbidhopper concentric with the feed aperture thereof and forming, in conjunction with the under side of said hopper, a cup-shaped reeeptacle, within which is mounted a rubber diaphragm or ring 18, through which works the feed-plunger 16. In order to reduce to a minimum therubbing friction between the inner periphery of the ring and the sides of said feed-plunger, the inner margin of the ring is brought to a blunt edge, as indicated clearly in the drawings, and in order that the size4 of the opening through the ring may be reduced from time to time to compensate for wearand insure a close-rubbing joint between the diaphragm and the feed-plunger means are provided for compressing the ring, conveniently and as shown herein consisting of a cap 19, threaded upon the housing-ring 17, having its lower end constructed to underlie and bear upon the lower surface of the rubberring and provided with a central aperture 2O of sufficient diameter to prevent interference with the operation of the plunger. 'lhe `plunger 16 in the preferred construction shown herein is provided with a cylindric lower portion 21, which normally during the operation of the lamp rests within or is in register with the diaphragm-ring 18, a reduced portion 22 immediately above said cylindric portion, and a second cylindrie portion 23 of the same diameter as the lower cylindric portion, which is arranged to be brought in to register with the diaphragm-ring when the plunger is at its lowermost position or that indicated in the drawings. The upper end ofthe lower cylindric portion 21 at its point of ju nction with the reduced portion 22 is made conical or tapering' upwardly, as indicated at 24;, so as to act as a deector to disperse the carbid as it flows downwardly past the plunger.

Within the upper part of the carbid-hopper is formed a chamber,(designated as a whole 25,) the lower portion of said chamber being' formed by means of a cup-shaped partition 26, having its upper edge 27 joined with the top wall of the lamp, while the upper portion of said chamber is formed by the denic-shaped top wall 28 of the extreme upper end of the lamp. The lower side of the chamber thus formed is provided with a central aperture 2f), which opens into a downwardly-depending tubular extension or housing 30, which extends downwardly to a point near the lower end of the carbid-hopper, but terminates far enough above the feed-opening through the latter to permit the iiow of carbid to said opening` past its lower end. Within the chamber 25 is arranged an expansible gas-holder of novel and improved construction comprisingalowercupshaped metal member 31, provided at its een ter with an oriiice in register and communication with the tubular extension 30, said cup-sluiped `member being secured to the bottom wall of the chamber desirably and as'shown herein by means of a hollow screw-plug 32, extended downwardly through the central aperture of the cup-shaped member and threaded into the interior of the upper end of said tubular housing, so as to clamp said parts together. l)e sirably, in order to forma gas-tight union at this point, a packing-washer 33 is interposed between the under surface of the gas-holder and the bottom wall of thechamber. 'lhe upper portion v31' of said gas-holder is made vflexible, so as to enable the gas-holder to expand, this portion consisting, preferably, of Aa sheet of rubber secured at its periphery to IOO the exterior Voit' the upper'rim of the cupshaped member by means of a confining-ringk 34. Upon the upper surface of said iiexible sheet is mounted a rigid disk 35, and through lthis disk and the subjacent portion of the flexible sheet is arranged to extend a hollow nipple 36, with the upper end of which is conthe upper side of which is formed by means necteda flexible length of tubing 37, having its opposite end connected to and communicating with a reducing-valve mounted in the ranged within the tubular extension, having its upper end engaged with the upper end of the stem ofthe plunger, so asv to tend to draw the latter downwardly, and the lower end engaged with a collar 43, seated in the lower portion of the extension and held against up ward movement by means of an internal iiange' 44 upon the interior oi the extension with which the periphery of the collar is engaged.

Describing now more particularly the construction of the reducing-valve 38, the latter` is supported by means ofv a spider consisting oi' a ring 43', 'secured to the interior of the chamber 25,.and a plurality of radial arms- 43, which extend from said ring obliquely upward to and support the valve-body proper. The valve-'body comprisesa lower cylindric chamber formed of two members 45 46, re-v spectively, threaded together, said chamber beingrdividedhorizontally by means of a iiltering-diaphragm 47, held atV its edges between the meeting parts of the two members, as indicated clearly in the drawings. The flexible gas-tube 37;eommunieates with the space below said diaphragm. Theupper wall of saidchamber is 'provided with a gas-port 48, communicating with an upper chamber 49,

of a iiexible diaphragm 50, which is held-distended and' secured at its edges, so as to yform a gas-tight chamber by means oiY a skeleton'- shaped member 51, having a-peripher'al ring portion 52, which is secured to the subjacent member 46 1n any convenient-manner-fas,`

for example, by screws 53. Saidskeleton member 52 -is provided with a plurality of arms ,54, constructed to [it against the upper wall of the vchamber 25 and suitably secured to the flatter, one of said arms beingmade hollow or provided with a passage 55, which communicates at its lower end with the gas. space beneath the diaphragm and'at itsupper Iend terminates in a' threaded nipple 56, upon which is vmountedv the burner-nozzle 57.

58 designates a valve arranged to`con`trol the gas-port 48 of the Ireducing-valve, said valve being provided with a stem extending upwardly through and being connected with `the center of the diaphragm by means of suitablev clamping-washers mounted thereon above and below the diaphragm, respectively. VIn order to force the valve normally downward awayl from fits seat, a spring is arranged such spring' consisting desirably of aV-shaped spring secured at lts angle to one of the arms `ot' the member 54, as at 58, and having one of its arms engaged with the center oi' the diaphragm, while its opposlte arm rests in engagement with an adj usting-screw 59, threaded through the 'topi wall of the lamp and through the subjacent'arm 54.

It will be noted that the part 45 of the iilter-support will-form an upper stop 'for the diaphragm or movable upper portion 31 of the gas-holder. The upper end of the' valve? rod will contact with said part 45 when the gas-holden is expanded and will limit the `upward movement of the diaphragm and the plate 35 will form a su pport for the diaphragm and prevent an undue expansion thereof. The nipple connecting the tubular extension 30 to the cup 26 will form a stop for the'diaphragm and limit the downward movement ot' vthe valve, and the lower wall 31 will form a support for the diaphragm when itis completely collapsed.Y

Means are provided for locking the feedf mechanism against movement, such means preferably comprising a dou ble bell-crank lever 60, (see detail Fig. 2,) pivotally supported adjacent to its angle to a support upon the side wall ofthe chamber 25, as indicated at One arm 60 is preferably made double and arrangedy toextend obliquely downward `and engage the center of the upper-side ot' the expansible gas holder, the engaging lower ends of the members otl the arm being curved' upwardly, so as to slide freely during the risay ing-and-falling movement of.' the gas-holder.

`In order to engage said arm 60 with the feedplunger, so that it may be caused to lift the Ilatter, a cross-piece 60 is mounted u aon the extreme upper end of the plunger with its arms arranged to overlie the two members of the double arm 60', as indicated clearly in Isaid detailA iigure.- -At a point between its `ends said double arm is provided with an upstanding rigid block or stud 62, constitutingv `the second arm of the bell-crank lever, which is adapted to be'engaged by a thumb-screwr 63, arranged to extend inwardly through the yto act upon the upper side of the diaphragm,

ICO

los

izo

opposite side of the wall of the chamber 25 and threaded through the lower part 45 of the l`reducinglvalve, as shown clearly inthe draw-` ings, the arrangement being such that when .said adjustingscrew is adjusted inwardly the;

65 in the bottom of the hopper and extends thence upwardly along the inner wall of the hopper to a point near the upper side of the latter, at which point it communicates with the chamber' 66 of a safety-valve, (designated as a whole C) The upper end of the pipe 64 is provided with one or more openings 67, through which the gas may escape into the upper part of the carbid-hopper, and from the space within the hopper the gas is admitted to the upper part of the tubular extension 3() through a plurality of inlet-openings 68.

The safety-valve 65' may be of any suitable or preferred construction, that shown herein consisting of a puppet-valve 69, held against its seat by means of a coiled spring 70, the opposite end of which engages an adjustingcap 71, through which are provided vent-openings 72. The operation of the apparatus constructed as described will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the foregoing description, but may be briefly described as follows: The font and hopper having been respectively charged with suitable quantities of Water and carbid while the feed-plunger was held in locked position, the apparatus may be brought into operation by simply rotating the thumb-screw of the locking mechanism, so as to release the plunger, whereupon the latter will be forced downwardly by the feed-spring and permit the granulated carbid to flow outwardly through the diaphragm-ring past the reduced portion 22 of the feed-plunger. The carbid falling within the water in the font will promptly generate a supply of gas, which rising within the generating-chamber will pass upwardly through the tube 64 into the upper part of the hopper and in passing over the body of carbid will be cooled and dried. Frein the carbid-hopper the gas passes inwardly through the inlets in the tubular extension and thence upwardly into the expansible gasholder, iniiating the latter and eventually raising the plunger far enough to interrupt the feeding of carbid. F rom the gas-holder the gas passes upwardly through the flexible tube 37 into the reducing-valve through the filtering-diaphragm of the latter and thence to the upper chamber, from whence it passes upwardly to the burner-nozzle. Inasmuch as the feed-spring of the feed mechanism exerts an increasing pressure on the gas-holder as the latter is inflated more and more, the internal gas-pressure within the holder is correspondingly increased and would tend to make the pressure at the burner irregular but for ythe provision of the reducing-valve.

The reducing-valve, however, is so adjusted that as the pressure within its upper chamber increases the diaphragm thereof will be forced upwardly against the tension of the V-spring, thereby partially closing the port between the two chambers of the valve and correspondingly restricting theiiow of gas to the burner, thus substantially counterbalancing the increased pressure within the generator.

The provision of the upper cylindric portion of the feed-plunger 23 is a'featureof importance, for the reason that if the gas-holder should burst or spring a leal( or the mechanism in any way become disarranged so as to permit the plunger to drop and not respond to the generation of gas the plunger would obviously fall to its lowermost position, or that indicated in the drawings, in which position the port 23 would act as a stopper to effectually close the feed-opening of the hopper. The provision of locking mechanism whereby the plunger may be locked in closed position is also of importance not only for the reason that it forms a convenient means of interrupting the operation of the generator at will, but for the further reason that when thus locked in closed position the liquid could not reach the interior of the carbid -chamber in case the lamp were instantly overturned except through the restricted gas-inlet ports in the upper part of the hopper, and an explosion could therefore not occur. Ihen the lamp has been operated long enough to make it necessary to replenish the supply of liquid or to remove the residue from the font, this may readily be accomplished by separating` the upper and lower members of the lamp in the manner hereinbefore clearly described.

While I have herein shown and described what I deem to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, yet it will be obvious that the details thereof may be modiiied to some extent without departing from the invention, and l do not, therefore, wish to be limited tothe precise details shown except as they are made the subject of specific claims.

I have not specifically claimed in this application features shown which constitute a geuerator proper, as said features will be claimed in another eopending application.

I claim as my invention` l. In an acetylene-lamp the combination ol' the lower part which constitutes the lamp-base and water-holder, the upper part which forms a carbid-holder, a gas-holder smaller in diameter than the carbid-holder and concentrimllly supported within and near the top thereof said gas-holder having a movable wall or part, a depending feed mechanism carried by the upper part, means for connecting said feed mechanism to the movable part of the gasholder, a burner carried by the upper part of the case, a pressure-regulator within thecasing at the top of the upper part and in com- IOO munication with the gas-holder and the burner, and means for detachably connecting the two parts together at the top of the base portion.

2. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination of a two-part casing, adapted to be detachably f secured together one part above the other, the

lower part being formed with a contracted upper end and constituting the water-holder and the lamp-base the upper part being formed with a carbid-hopper and a depending contracted gas-chamber, a cup-shaped chamber supported in the carbid-hopper, a gas-holder in said chamber said holder having a movable wall or part, a feed mechanism connected to said movable part and arranged to feed carbid through said contracted chamber to the waterholder, means for detachably connecting the lower edge of the contracted 'gas-chamber to the contracted upper part of the water-holder, whereby the gas-chamber will form a standard-like handle and a narrow gas-space between the water-holder and the carbid-holder, and the gas-tight joint will be formed at the reduced part of the casing, a burner carried by the upper part of the casing and a pressureregulator in communication with the gas- Y holder and the burner.

3. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination of a lower water-holder formed with a connecting-ring at its upper end smaller in diameter` than the water-holder, an upper carbid-holder, an intermediate contracted gas-chamber permanently secured to the carbid-holder', means for detachably connecting the lower edge of this contracted chamber to` the connectingring on the top of `the water-holder whereby the contracted chamber forms astandard-like handle for the lamp and a contracted gasspace between the water-holder and the carbid-hopper and the gas-tight connection will be formed at the' reduced part of the casing, a cup-shaped chamber smallerA in diameter than the carbid-holder and supported in the upper part of said holder, agas-holder in said chamber said holder having a movable wall or part, ay feed mechanism connected to and operated `by said movable part and adapted to drop pulverized carbid centrally through the conti-acted chamber, a burner carried by the carbid-hopper, and a red ucingvalve within the casing and in communication with the gas-holder and burner.

4E. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination of a lower water-holder formed with va connecting-ring at its upper end smaller in diameter than the Water-holder, an up percarbid-holder, an intermediate contracted gas-chamber permanently' secured to the carbid-holder, the inner sides of the walls of the said chamber inclining from their lower'edge inward and upward'to a point near the bottom of the carbid-hopper,whereby the upward-owing gas in said chamber will contact therewith and the moisture therein be'condensed on said lower edge of this contracted chamber to the 'connecting-ring on the top of the water-holder duced part of the casing, a cup-shaped chamber smaller in diameter than the carbid-holder and supported in the upper part of said holder, a gas-holder in said chamber said holder having a movableV wall or part, a feed mechanism connected to and operated by said movable part and adapted to drop pulverized carbid centrally through the contracted chamber, a burner carried by the hopper, and a reducing-valve within the casing and in communication with the gas-holder and burner.

5. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination of a casing, the lower part of which forms a Water-holder, the upper part forming a carbidholder, a cup-shaped chamber smaller in diameter than the carbid-holder and concentrically supported in the upper part of said holder, a gas-holder in said chamber said holder having a movable Wall or part, a feed mechanism connected to and operated by said movable part, a burner on the top of said cham- ;ber, and a reducing-valve within the casing,- and 1n communication with the gas-holder and burner.

, 1 6. -In an acetylene-lamp, the combination of va casing, the lower part of which holds one ,gas-generating element, the upper partforming a `holder for the other element, a chamber ,y or receptacle smaller in diameter than the casi ing and concentrically supported in the casing at the top thereof, an expansible gas-holder lin said chamber, feeding mechanism adapted to feed the element in the upper part of the casing, said feeding mechanism being connectyed to and operated by the expansible holder, .-a burner on the casing, and a pressure-regulator above the case-holder and in communication with the gas-holder and the burner.

y 7. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combinay tion of a lower part which constitutes a holder for the liquid and forms the lamp-base, an upper part, said upper part being concentrically mounted on the top of the base and constituting a carbid-holder, a receptacle smaller in diameter than the carbid-holder and concentrically supported in the casing at the top a lower part which constitutes a holder for the liquid and forms the lamp-base, an upper part concentrically mounted on the top of the base and detachably connected thereto, said upper part forming a holder for the carbid, a cupi shaped receptacle smaller in diameter than the TOO IIO

carbid-holder and secured at its upper edge to the top of the carbid-holder and extending down into said holder, said cup-shaped receptacle being concentrically located therein, an expansible gas-holder in the said cup, a depending feed mechanism centrally connected to the upper wall of said gas-holder and operated thereby, a reducing-valve supported above the cup, said valve being in communication with the gas-holder, and a burner supported above the reducing-valve and in communication therewith.

9. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combination of a lower part which constitutes a holder for the liquid and forms the lamp-base, an upper part concentrically mounted on the top of the base and detachably connected thereto, said upper part forming a holder for the carbid, a cup-shaped receptacle smaller in diameter than the carbid-holder and secured at its upper end to the top of the upper part and extending down into the carbid-holder, said cu pshaped receptacle being concentricall y located in the carbid-holder, an expansible gas-holder in the said cup, depending feed mechanism concentrically connected to the upper wall of said gas-holder and operated by the movement oi' said wall, a horizontally-movable rod above the cup, and means carried by the cup and engaging the top of the gas-holder to manually extend said holder when the rod is moved horizontally in one direction, a red ucing-valve supported centrally above the cup and carrying said rod, a burner supported by the casing and in communication with the reducingvalve.

10. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination of a lower part which constitutes aholder for the liquid and forms `the lamp-base, an upper part concentrically mounted on the top of tbe base and detachably connected thereto, said upper part forming a holder for the carbid, a cup-shaped receptacle smaller in diameter than the carbid-holder and secured at its upper edge to the top of and extending down into said holder, said cup-shaped receptacle being concentrically arranged in the carbid-holder, an expansible gas-holder in the said cup, a depending feed mechanism centrally connected to the upper wall of said gas-holder and operated by the movement thereof, a ring supported at the top of said cup, a reducing-valve above the cup and supported by said ring, and a burner carried by the reducing-valve.

l1. In a gas generator or lamp, tanks or chambers for separately holding` gas-generating elements, a passage from one to another, a valve between them, an expansible and eollapsible gas-chamber in communication with the gas-space in said tanks, said valve being connected with said expansible and collapsible gas-chamber in such manner that when the latter is expanded the passage from one said tank or chamber to the other is closed, a lever in engagement with said collapsible gas-chamber and adapted to move therewith, anda screw arranged for actin g upon said lever, and means for causing said gas-chamber to nieve with the lever whereby, on the operation of' the screw in one direction the gas-chamber is cxpanded and the light extinguished.

12. In a gas generator or lamp, tanks or chambers for separately holding gas-generating elements, a passage from one to another, a valve between them, an cxpansible and collapsible gas-chamber in communication with the gas-space in said tank, said valve being` connected with said expansible and collapsible gas-chamber in such manner that when the latter is expanded the passage from one said tank or chamber to the other is closed, a lever in engagement with said collapsible gas-chamber and adapted to move therewith, and meehanism ior adjusting said lever.

13. In a gas generator or lamp, tanks or chambers for separately holding gas-generating elements, a passage from one to another, a valve between them, an expansible and collapsible gas-chamber in communication with the gas-space in said tanks, said valve being connected with said expansiblc and collapsible gas-chamber in such manner that when the latter is expanded the passage from one said tank or chamber to the other is closed, a lever in engagement with said collapsible gas-chamber and adapted to move therewith and a screw arranged i'or acting upon said lever to positively close the feed-passage.

14. In an acctylene-generator adapted to feed pulverulent carbid and comprising` a earbid-hopper provided at its lower side with a feed-opening, a feed-plunger working through said opening and having astem extending upwardly within said carbid-hopper, means lor locking said plunger against movement, comprising a bell-crank lever having one arm iexibly connected with the upper end ol said plunger and pivotally supported adjacent to its angle from the side wall of the generator and an adjusting-screw extending inwardly through the side wall of the generator through a threaded support and engaging the other arm oi `said bell-crank lever.

15. In an acetylenegenerator, the combination with the rcciprocatory feed-plunger operatively connected at its upper end with the expansible gas-holder, of means lor locking said plunger against movement, comprising the bell-crank lever pivotall y mounted adjacent to its angle and having arms one engaged with the cross-bar upon the upper end of the plunger, and an adjusting-screw extending inwardly through the side wall oi the gcnerator and threaded through a support and vacting upon the other.

16. A gas-generator including chambers for separately holding gas-generating elements, a gas-holder reservoir of variable capacity in communication with one ot' said chambers, a pivoted lever, one end of said lever being enlOO IIO

gage'd to move with a movable wall of said reservoir, and an adjustingscrew coacting with said lever for forcibly distending said reservoir.

17. A gas generator or lamp including tanks or chambers for separatelyholding gas-generating elements and having a passage from one chamber to the other, a valve for controlling said passage, a gas-reservoir of variable capacity situated above said chambers, a valverod secured to the top wall of said reservoir a-nd by means of which said valve is controlled to move up and down with the increase or decrease of capacity of said reservoir, and a-lever in engagement with thenpper wall of said reservoir adapted to move therewith, and manually-controlled means for coacting with said lever for forcibly distending said reservoir.

18. A carbid-feed lamp comprised of a casing the lower part of which forms a waterholder, the upper part carrying a carbidholder, carbid-feed mechanism in said upper part, an expansible gas-holder connected to and operating the feed mechanism, a burner carried by the casing, means automatically operating to maintain a uniform kburning pressure at the burner, said means being in -communication with the gas-holder, and means for adjusting the pressure-regulating means to vary the burning pressure. i 19. In a gas vgenerator or lamp, tanks or chambers for separately holding gas-generating elements, a passage from oneto another,'. a valvebetween them, an expansible and collapsible gas-chamber in communication' with the gas-space in said tank, said valve beingy connected with said expansible and collapsible gas-chamber in such manner that when the latter is expanded the passage from one tank or chamber to the other is closed, a lever in engagement with said collapsible gas-cham- .ber and adapted to 4move therewith, and a screw arranged for acting upon said lever for i expanding the gas-.chamber to extinguish the lamp. f

2O.A A gas-generator including chambers for separately holding liquid and pulverulent gasgenerating elements and having a passage fromy one chamber. to the other, a valve coperating'ywith the communicating passage, a gas-.holding reservoir of variable capacity, a portion of the wall of the reservoir being movable, the gas generated passing through said reservoir, said valve being connectedY t0 the movable wall portion of the reservoir so as to be moved therewith, a lever mounted to move with either said valve or the movable portion of said reservoir, and mechanism for adjusting said lever.

21. Agas-generator including chambers for separately holding liquid and pulverulent gasgenerating elements and having a passage from one chamber to the other. a` valve coperating with the communicating passage, a

gasfholding reservoir of :variable capacity, aj

portion of the wall of the reservoir being mov-` able, the gas generated passing through said reservoir, said valve being connected to the movable wall portion of the reservoir sofasy to be moved therewith, a lever mounted to move with either said valve or the movable portion of said reservoir, and adjustable mechanism for forcibly distending the movable wall of the reservoir.

22. A gas generator including separate `holding-chambers for liquid and pulverulent gas-generatingl elements, a collapsible` gasreservoir of variable capacity situated above said chambers and in communication with one of said chambers whereby the gas generated may pass into said reservoir, a valve coacting with a passage between said chambers and movable as the reservoirl varies incapacity,

vand manually-controlled means coperating` with said reservoir to forcibly and positively distend it.

23. In a gas generator or lamp, chambers for separately holding gas-generating elements, a passage from one of said chambers to the other, a vertically reciprocatory valve controlling `said passage, a lever, operative connections between Isaid lever and the valve, and a device coacting with said lever to check'its movement. i

` 24. 1n a gas-generator, chambers for separately holding gas-generating elements, a passage from one of said chambers'to the other, a vertically-reciprocatory valve controlling said passage, an adjustable lever, operative sagefrom one of said chambers to the other,

a-valve controlling said passage, a lever, operative connections between said lever and the valve and an adjustable stop'for limiting the movement of said lever.

27. In an acetylene-gas generator, chambers for separately holding gas generating ele- IOO ments, a passage from one of said chambers to the other, an elastic valve ring or seat in `said passage, avalve working through said valve-ring and fitting closely therein and controlling the discharge of carbid therethrough, means for moving said valvev in response to changes in gas-pressure, a lever connected to said valve, and means for locking said lever to maintain thevalve closed. A 28; IIn a gas-generatory chambers yfor, sepaf j rately holding gas-generating elements, a passage from one of said chambers to the other, an elastic valve ring or seat in said passage, a plunger-valve working through said valvering and controlling the discharge of carbid, a lever, operative connections between said lever and the valve and mechanism for adjusting said lever.

29. In a gas-generator, chambers for separatel y holding gas-generating elements, a passage from one of said chambers to the other, an elastic valve-ring in said passage, a plungervalve working through said ring, a lever. operative connections between said lever and the valve, and an adjustable stop for locking said lever to positively hold the valve in its closed position.

30. In an acetylene-gas generator a gen erating-chamber, a carbid-holder above the generating-chamber and formed with a feedopening in its bottom, a housing in the holder axiallyT in line with the feed-opening and open at its lower end, said lower end extending near to the feed-opening, a vertically-reciprocatory valve extending into the holder and controlling the feed-opening and of smaller diameter than the interior of the housing, and means controlled by the pressure of the gas generated to reciprocate said valve in the housing.

3l. In an acetylene-gas generator, a generating-ch amber, a carbid-holder above the generating chamber and formed with a feedopening in its bottom, a housing in the holder axially in line with the feed-opening and open at its lower end, said lower end extending near to the feedopening, a verticallyreciprocatory valve extending into the holder and controlling the feed-opening said valve being of smaller diameter than the interior of the housing, means controlled by the pressure of the gas generated to move said valve, a lever, operative connections between the lever and the valve whereby the valve may be manually reciprocated in the tubular housing and said housing will protect the valve from the mass of carbid in the hopper.

32. A carbid-feed mechanism for acetylenegas generators, comprising a carbid-holder provided with a discharge-opening, a feedplunger working through said opening and formed with two rigid valve members rigidly connected together and separated longitudinally, whereby a pocket is formed between them, a tubular housing within the holder and slightly above the feed-opening and open at formed of two rigid valve membersrigidly connected together and separated longitudinally whereby a pocket is formed between them, a tubular housing within the holder slightly above the feed-opening and open' at its lower end and adapted to receive the upper valve member, means actuated by the pressure of the gas to move the valve and carry the upper member into thehousing, and means acting against gas-pressure to move the valve and carry the upper valve member below said housing to force the carbid in the pocketdownward through the feed-opening.

34. In an acetylene-gas generator tanks or chambers for separately holding` gas-generating elements, a passage connecting said tanks, a valve controlling said passage, an expansible and collapsible gas-chambei` in communication with the gas-space in said tanks, said valve being connected with said expansible and collapsible gas-chamber in such manner that when the latter is expanded the passage between the tanks is closed, an operatingscrew, and means interposed between the screw and the expansible gas-chamber whereby said chamber may be positively expanded by the screw to close the passage between the tanks.

35. In an acetylene-gas generator the combination of chambers for separately holding gas-generating elements, a feed-passage connecting said chalnbers, a valve controlling said feed-passage, an expansible and collapsible gas-holder, means whereby said holder by its expansion and contraction will move the feedvalve, an adjusting-screw, and means interposed between the screw and the valve whereby said valve may be positioned by the screw.

36. In a gas generator or lamp chambers for separately holding gas-generati ng elements, a passage from one of said chambers to the other, a valve controlling said passage, an adjustable lever, operative connections between said lever and the valve whereby the valve may be operated through the lever, and means normally permitting said lever to swing freely on its pivot but adapted to be adjusted to check the movement of said lever.

37. In a gas generator or lamp chambers for separately holding gas-generating elements, a passage from one of said chambers to the other, a valve controlling said passage, an adjustable lever, operati ve connections between `said lever and the valve whereby the valve may be operated through the lever, and means for locking said lever in its adjusted position.

38. In an acetylene-gas generator theeombination of chambers for separately holding gas-generating elements, a feed-passage connecting said chambers, a valve controlling said feed-passage, an expansible and collapsible gas-holder, means whereby said holder by its expansion and contraction will move the feedvalve, an adjusting-screw, and means interposed between the screw and the valve wherelOO llO

by the feed of carbid may be manually stopped or started. k39. In an acetylene-gas lamp the combination of a lower part which constitutes aholder for the liquid and forms the lamp-base, an upper part concentrically mounted on thetopof the base and detachably connected thereto said upper part forming a holder for the carbid` a part secured at its outer. edge to the carbidholder near the top thereof and extending into said holder a suitable distance to form a support for a gas-holding wall, said part being concentrically mounted in the carbid-holder, a transverse horizontal iieXible gas holder wall carried by said concentric support, a depending feed mechanism centrally connected to said movable wall or part and operated thereby, a reducingvalve vsupported above the gas-holder wall said valve being in communication with the gas-space below the Wall, and a burner supported above the reducingvalve and in communication therewith.

40. In an acetylene-gas generator the combination of a three-part generator-casing comprising a base or water-holder, an intermediate section detachably connected thereto and which forms the carbid holder and within which is arranged the feed-plunger, and an upper chamber supported by the carbid-holder, a flexible diaphragm at the bottom of said upper chamber and subject on its lunder side to the gas-pressure in the carbid-holder, means operatively connecting said diaphragm to the feed-plunger whereby said plunger will be moved in response to gas-pressure, a pressureregulator in the upper chamber above the ieXible diaphragm, a stationary support in said upper chamber for said regulator, means for placing said pressure-regulator in communication with the gas-space below the iieXible diaphram, and a burner above the pressure-regulator and in communication therewith. y

4l. In an acetylene-gas generator the combination of a three-part generator-casing comprising a base or Water-holder, an intermediate-section detachably connected thereto and which forms the carbid holder and within which is arranged the feed-plunger. and an upper chamber supported by the carbid-holder, a iiexible diaphragm at the bottom of said upper chamber and subject on its under side to the gas-pressure in the carbid-holder, means operatively connecting said diaphragm to the feed-plunger whereby said plunger will be moved in response to gas-pressure, a pressure-regulator in the upper chamber above the iiexible'diaphragm, means forl placing said pressure-regulator in communication with the gas-space below the iiexible diaphragm, and a burner above the pressure-regulator and in communication therewith, an operating-screw, and means connected to said screw whereby the feed of carbid may be manually stopped or started.

CHARLES w. BECK. 

